Green Tea? Health Benefits/Advantages

Does green Tea win the excellence award as one of the healthiest drinks known to human beings? Can it hold to this award? Let’s discuss…

What is Green Tea?

Green teas originate from the plant Camellia Sinesis as do all tea forms. The green tea is obtained from leaves of the Tea plants that have not fully matured. It is not fermented; entirely, it does not go through the full oxidation process. This helps in retaining all the beneficial compounds such as antioxidants and polyphenols instrumental in curing numerous ailments. 

Green Tea facts

• Green Tea originated in China but is now produced and manufactured in many other countries in Asia and worldwide. 
• There are innumerable varieties of green tea in the world.
• For the best taste and aroma, green tea must be stored in sealed containers.
• A cup of tea or coffee contains roughly 100 mg of polyphenols.
• Tea, in ancient times, was considered a luxury beverage.
• Teabags contain Tea that is inferior quality, such as dust and fannings, to cater to mass. production

Green Tea Benefits: There are so many benefits of drinking green. The most significant benefits of green tea are:

 Brain Functions

The caffeine in green Tea is in lower quantity than found in coffee, but has a comparable effect as coffee. Green Tea also carries an amino acid called L-theanine that acts in conjunction with caffeine to improve brain function and mental alertness.

Cancer Prevention

Green Tea includes a compound called polyphenol. As per the National Cancer Institute, polyphenols in animal studies have proven to reduce the growth of tumors.

Tea is abundant in polyphenols, and Catechins called EGCG, resulting in reduced inflammation and helping to fight cancer, Catechins prevents cell damage, and provide other benefits.

Reduction in Type 2 diabetes

There are fewer conclusive studies on the positive impact of green Tea on Diabetes. However, prevention of Diabetes must include a holistic approach to having a diet loaded with polyphenols for better mobilization of sugar in the body. Foods abundant in polyphenols should be combined alongside drinking green Tea. Some such food items are berries, grapes, apples, pomegranates, Broccoli, onions, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, etc. 

Some berries such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are also high in antioxidants and polyphenols. These are my kid’s all-time favorite.

Promoting of Bone Health

The catechins found in green Tea supports excellent bone health. Osteoporosis is a significant health problem in the elderly. Epidemiological evidence has shown an association between tea consumption and the prevention of bone loss in the elderly population. Ingestion of green tea and green tea bioactive compounds may help mitigate the bone loss of this population and decrease their risk of osteoporotic fractures. 

 Eyesight

Green Tea has an exceptional constituent called antioxidants. These antioxidants comprise elements like vitamin C and lutein, which protect the body against various diseases, especially eye disease.

The flavonoids found in the green tea leaves protect the eye against cataracts and various types of glaucoma.

Weight loss

Weight loss is the most researched and sought after literature on Green or Tea effects on health. Green Tea helps to promote efficient metabolism that, in return, allows the body to transform food and drink into valuable energy. The catechin flavonoid in Green Tea is an antioxidant that results in healthy metabolism.

These compounds have a small but positive impact on health. A healthy lifestyle with a proper diet, exercise, yoga, and Green Tea can help stay fit. I think Tea, on its own, cannot do the magic.

Cardiovascular Impacts

Green Tea is advantageous in reducing cholesterol levels (LDL bad cholesterol) in the body, which enables the low risk of heart attack and strokes. Green Tea regulates blood pressure, which also lessens the risk of high blood pressure and heart diseases.

The other lesser-known health benefits of drinking green tea are 

Boosts immunity

Can be used in Hair packs strengthen hair

Reducing of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in the Elderly

Provides better dental health

I drink Green tea for the love of the taste and purity it offers, unlike other beverages. My choice is further supported by what I pick to drink, tea leaves or tea bags, organic or non-organic, the mood, time of the day, etc. I try to make my own variations with herbs and honey.

I have always believed in holistic living, but knowing the health benefits of what we consume is paramount.

Other Key resources for health benefits of green tea

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea#1

https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/healthy-living/green-tea-benefits/

Enjoy the video!